prec·e·dent

prec·e·dent
/ˈprɛsədənt/ noun, pl -dents
somewhat formal
1 : a similar action or event that happened at an earlier time
[count]

There are no precedents for these events. [=nothing like these events has ever happened before]

[noncount]

There isn't any precedent for these events. = These events are without precedent.

2 : something done or said that can be used as an example or rule to be followed in the future
[count]

The judge's ruling was based on a precedent established by an earlier decision.

He says that the government will set/establish a dangerous precedent if it refuses to allow the protesters to hold a rally.

[noncount]

The judge's ruling was based/founded on legal precedent.

3 [noncount] : the usual or traditional way of doing something

The voters broke (with) precedent [=they did something that had not been done before] when they elected a woman to the position.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • prec|e|dent — «noun. PREHS uh duhnt; adjective. prih SEE duhnt, PREHS uh », noun, adjective. –n. 1. an action that may serve as an example or reason for a later action: »Last year s school picnic set a precedent for having one this year. There was no precedent …   Useful english dictionary

  • un|prec´e|dent´ed|ly — un|prec|e|dent|ed «uhn PREHS uh DEHN tihd», adjective. having no precedent; never done before; never known before: »unprecedented devotion to duty. An unprecedented event in history took place in 1961, when a human being traveled for the first… …   Useful english dictionary

  • un|prec|e|dent|ed — «uhn PREHS uh DEHN tihd», adjective. having no precedent; never done before; never known before: »unprecedented devotion to duty. An unprecedented event in history took place in 1961, when a human being traveled for the first time in outer space …   Useful english dictionary

  • dent — dent; dif·fi·dent; dif·fi·dent·ly; dif·fi·dent·ness; ei·dent; ev·i·dent·ly; ev·i·dent·ness; ex·e·dent; fron·dent; im·pu·dent; im·pu·dent·ly; im·pu·dent·ness; in·ci·dent·less; in·ci·dent·ly; in·dent·ed·ly; in·dent·er; in·de·pen·dent·ly;… …   English syllables

  • prec — prec; prec·a·to·ry; prec·e·den·tial; prec·e·dent·less; prec·i·pice; prec·a·tive; un·prec·e·dent·ed·ly; un·prec·e·dent·ed·ness; …   English syllables

  • un·prec·e·dent·ed — /ˌʌnˈprɛsəˌdɛntəd/ adj : not done or experienced before The team has enjoyed unprecedented success this year. This level of growth is unprecedented. An unprecedented number of students are taking the class …   Useful english dictionary

  • precedent — prec•e•dent n. [[t]ˈprɛs ɪ dənt[/t]] adj. [[t]prɪˈsid nt, ˈprɛs ɪ dənt[/t]] n. 1) an act or instance that may serve as an example or justification for subsequent situations 2) law a legal decision serving as an authoritative rule or pattern in… …   From formal English to slang

  • precedent — prec|e|dent [ presıdənt ] noun * 1. ) count or uncount an action or event in the past that is used as an example or reason for a present action or event: precedent for: There are good precedents for this sort of cooperation between organizations …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • precedentless — prec·e·dent·less …   English syllables

  • pre|ced´ent|ly — prec|e|dent «noun. PREHS uh duhnt; adjective. prih SEE duhnt, PREHS uh », noun, adjective. –n. 1. an action that may serve as an example or reason for a later action: »Last year s school picnic set a precedent for having one this year. There was… …   Useful english dictionary

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